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Cane and 'boo identification

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jonathan creason:
I can't seem to remember very much about the 'boo species from my dendrology class in college.  Is there a good way to be able to identify the different species so I'll know what to look for when I'm riding around?  River cane isn't much of an issue, that's pretty easy to id.  But from everything I've read it usually falls somewhere in the lower half of the desirable species list for arrow shafts.

I do have a couple dozen Tonkin culms on the way that should keep me busy for a while, just looking for some more to set aside and let dry for a while.

aero86:
im not too sure on the id, but i thought a couple dozen would keep me busy for a long time too.  but, only last a weekend!  haha

Hillbilly:

--- Quote from: jonathan creason on March 09, 2010, 02:05:38 pm ---  But from everything I've read it usually falls somewhere in the lower half of the desirable species list for arrow shafts.

I do have a couple dozen Tonkin culms on the way that should keep me busy for a while, just looking for some more to set aside and let dry for a while.

--- End quote ---

You read wrong. River cane makes excellent arrows if you pick good culms. I've tried about every kind of cane and boo that can easily be gotten, and I would definitely rate good native river cane considerably above tonkin in quality for shafts. I think some people mistake chinese golden bamboo for river cane, the chinese boo isn't too good for shafts. The only boo I have used that I would rate nearly as good as native river cane would be Sasa palmata. Japanese arrow bamboo is pretty good, too. Tonkin makes good arrows, but is a lot more brittle , not nearly as strong as the native cane, and is harder to work with. The only species that I would rate better than river cane are native hill cane and switch cane. When cutting river cane, get good clean culms about 3/8" diameter on the big end (they'll shrink a little as they dry,) and use the part between the ground and first branches.

jonathan creason:
Thanks Hillbilly.  I've got a few patches mentally marked, just need to get a few free minutes to do some harvesting.

mullet:
 Steve, where did you get your Tonkin? I've only broken one, and that was a straight on shot at Pappy's metal fox target at about ten feet. It split 4 ways from the point and you can still shoot it.

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